Bluewine

Things are a little stale with my band too. Regardless, I'm still in the best bands I can be in. Daryl

THIS THURSDAY! 6-9pm. Live rockin’ blues and $5 brews! The Annex At Foxtown Mequon WI. Looks like a cool music venue . However, I'm concerned about Thursday night. Also it seems like the other bands that play there are a few notches above us. Daryl

Yes they are. Too bad I'm not longer the " Go Get Em Kid" or " Man About Town Bass Player Guy". Lol Daryl

Thanks Pete, The band is pretty helpful. They actually suggested playing " direct out" so I don't have to lug around an amp. And they let me ride in the van when there's a long distance to a gig. Daryl

I hope you're right Dave. I do socialize with our band leaders parents.Maybe that might help my standing in the band. Here's a " kicker " I'm older than both her parents. Isn't life great. Lol Daryl

Bass Buscuits, The local Milwaukee music scene is very cliquey. If your not in a clique you don't get called. Plus I only play bas and I don't sing. Daryl

I never get called to dep or anything. Daryl

Pete, I think you're right regarding loyalty. I've been with Maple Road since 2009. Since then we have replaced a guitarist and several drummers. I've been the only constant and I've never missed a gig. However, I'm getting older and need help getting to some gigs. The other members are much younger than me. I occasionally get paranoid thinking they might be looking for a younger bass player. Daryl

I get it Dave, I'm not sure this story counts. I was only in the band for a couple of weeks and I wasn't in another band at the time. This was a metal "start up" band with younger guys. I quit after the 3rd rehearsal when it became clear that this band would never be a gigging band. I delivered the message in person as I was leaving the rehearsal. No drama, and they said they were sorry it wasn't working out for me. By the way this was decades ago. Daryl

Did they offer you the gig and then changed their mind and didn't tell you ? Daryl

Leaving a gigging band that you've been with with for several years because of a better band opportunity is not easy. Share any stories where you left your mates for a better opportunity. How long had you been in the band ? Did you disappoint the other members? Why was it a better opportunity, how did you deliver the bad news? How much notice did you give? Lastly did it actually turn out to be a better opportunity? I've never left a band for another. Daryl

That's a good point. Even with an empty room, If the band is playing well and I'm playing at the top of my game empty rooms don't bother me as much. Daryl

I can't argue that we're not aartists. I've always thought of myself as a bass guitarist. Daryl

If the vibe is right between the band and the crowd and the band is really on fire band member introductions are ok. I wouldn't go as far as including individual solos. Daryl

Stage Patter. I think it depends on the band, what level your playing at and where. What works in a theater or large stage festival gig might not work in a bar. Just think about it. A signed national touring act might get more value out of cool clever patter. I always thought if your not famous going on and with some personal story is kind of weird to me. I remember some local guy starts off with this banter with something like, " well you know when your in the public eye" and my first thought or reaction was, " but your not in the public eye" lol On the other hand at the local level bands that don't have a member that's good with "the mouth" might come across as boring. Daryl